September 19, 2016 Regular Council Summary

Conference Centre, hotel studied

Two feasibility studies were recently completed on the Vancouver Conference Centre (VICC) and a proposed hotel located at 100 Gordon Street.  After receiving both studies, Council passed a motion directing staff to work with the consultant, the VICC, the Nanaimo Hotel Association and others to clarify information contained in the studies and report back.

Section 5a

Information was received.  

Property deemed a nuisance

29 Haliburton Street was declared a nuisance property due to an unprecedented number of complaints calls reported by neighbours over the past year. By declaring this as a nuisance property, the City can recover the cost of nuisance calls incurred either by City staff or the RCMP.

Section 7c

Motion carried: Unanimous.

Cleaning up properties

A total of 16 properties were ordered to clean up their properties within 14 days or the City will clean them up at the owner’s expense.

Section 7d

Motion carried: Unanimous.

User pay for trucked sewage

The RDN service of treating and disposing of trucked sewage within Nanaimo and Lantzville will now be charged on a user-pay basis.

Section 7e

Motion carried: Unanimous.

Law firms awarded contracts

Four law firms were each awarded three year contracts to work with the City in labour and municipal law. Harris & Company LLP and Roper Greyell LLP were awarded contracts for labour law services and, Stewart McDannold Stuart Barristers & Solicitors and Valkyrie Law Group LLP were awarded contracts for municipal law services.

Section 8a

Motion carried: 6-1

Financial auditor named

KPMG LLP has been named as the external financial auditor for the City. They will audit City books until at least 2018, with the option to extend the contract for two additional years.

Section 8b

Motion carried: Unanimous.

Victoria marijuana bylaw reviewed

The proposed bylaw to regulate marijuana-related businesses in Victoria was reviewed by City staff. Findings were that the bylaw was similar to the one the City of Vancouver has established. The proposed bylaw will now go to public hearing after which Council Victoria City Council will consider approving it. 

Section 9a

Information was received.

Few industrial property complaints

A study into whether industrial properties should have a maintenance bylaw tailored just to them found the City receives few complaints when it comes to cleanliness or other maintenance issues on these properties. Also, storing heavy machinery and equipment outside is all under the zoning bylaw.

Section 7a     

Information was received.

September 19, 2016 Regular Council Meeting - agenda, documents and video